A quick read. This Booker winner is worth reading for its fresh perspective on early 21st century India, and it effectively avoids the cliches of subcA quick read. This Booker winner is worth reading for its fresh perspective on early 21st century India, and it effectively avoids the cliches of subcontinental literature -- it's often very funny, and comes from the very underrepresented point of view of the Indian working class. But despite its intriguing handling of class issues, the novel felt a bit surface-y to me; Balram is a character the reader might cheer on, or be horrified by, but he never felt entirely real....more

Setting the Epistles of Paul in their social context, as well as looking at the limits of translation, classics scholar Ruden demonstrates that St. PaSetting the Epistles of Paul in their social context, as well as looking at the limits of translation, classics scholar Ruden demonstrates that St. Paul, seen by many modern readers as the repressive side of Christianity (with Jesus as the liberating side) was actually very progressive in the context of his times. She doesn't suggest that Paul was faultless (he sounds to have been very difficult to get on with, among other things), but she does make sense of passages that have been problematic to many, including me. ...more

This book took me back -- I discovered Yo La Tengo, thanks to a friend, just around the time of Painful and Electropura, and used to see them performThis book took me back -- I discovered Yo La Tengo, thanks to a friend, just around the time of Painful and Electropura, and used to see them perform three or four times a year, sometimes in Manhattan or Brooklyn, often over at Maxwell's in Hoboken. It was interesting to get more context of the surrounding music scene, some of which I'd been aware of and some of which I hadn't. It also had me thinking about the consequences of gentrification, both in Hoboken and across the river, and the resultant homogenization of culture in the metro region (yes, Brooklyn, your rents are rising now too).

The band is famously private, and as they lack the usual vices, they lack the standard rock star narrative of rise and fall and tentative recovery, and actually that's pretty cool. I knew much of what was in the book about them already, and the rest was consistent. It would have been nice to read more about the music, though; there were some good discussions of their albums, but there could have been more. It was nice to read about a couple of shows I know I was at -- one at Tramp's, another in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, and shows at Maxwell's generally (even if I wasn't there for the ones referenced, I can still picture the back room and many, many evenings standing there watching them).

I did find it funny that, in a book that talks about how my favorite rockers supported themselves as copyeditors and proofreaders, there are some copyediting and proofreading errors here. Oh well....more

The story of Nikola Tesla, in his later years, and a chambermaid at the Hotel New Yorker, where he lives, who befriends him based on a common interestThe story of Nikola Tesla, in his later years, and a chambermaid at the Hotel New Yorker, where he lives, who befriends him based on a common interest in pigeons and inventions. Hunt recreates the New York City of the 1940s vividly; her characters are sympathetic. I was especially interested in reading about Tesla, but found Louisa's story interesting as well. The novel as a whole is spare and yet well-developed. ...more

I found this book slow going, which may have had something to do with my schedule as of late. I wasn't sure I was that impressed, but then I found mysI found this book slow going, which may have had something to do with my schedule as of late. I wasn't sure I was that impressed, but then I found myself quite gripped by the last few hundred pages. Interesting concepts and a solid sense of place....more

Well-researched Victorian true crime; very readable and thorough. The Road Hill murder is often cited in studies of Wilkie Collins and sensation novelWell-researched Victorian true crime; very readable and thorough. The Road Hill murder is often cited in studies of Wilkie Collins and sensation novels, so I knew the story already, but certainly not in this depth and detail. ...more

This book was recommended to me when I was looking for a novel about ecocastrophe to teach; it's very much a pity that it is out of print. It was publThis book was recommended to me when I was looking for a novel about ecocastrophe to teach; it's very much a pity that it is out of print. It was published in 1987 and the concerns it reflects are still very much in the forefront, particularly economic collapse and ecological catastrophe.

In mid-21st century Australia, there is 90% unemployment, the small and tenuous middle class (the Sweet) are in constant fear of losing their jobs, but buck themselves up with their scorn of the Swill, who live in tower blocks and barely eke out an existence on government subsidies. When a father's job loss and suicide lead a mother and her two sons from a comfortable Sweet life to the Fringe of respectability, they meet an extraordinary man. But, unlike the movie-trailer phrasing I've just used, things are complicated by class prejudice and the continually deteriorating landscape. I would have preferred there be some more emphasis on the environmental issues as well, but the explorations of how human society might react to the crisis it finds itself in are worthwhile and frightening in the face of . . . oh, the current economic downturn and the likelihood of our not changing our behaviors enough to deflect the severity of the global warming trend....more

I can't help but use the work Kafkaesque when thinking about this novel, though the jacket copy helpfully provides Haruki Murakami as another, quite vI can't help but use the work Kafkaesque when thinking about this novel, though the jacket copy helpfully provides Haruki Murakami as another, quite valid, point of comparison. This is in part the story of Ben, returned from military service and thrust into a "Bachelor House" from which he must attract a wife or face the consequences of becoming a "civil servant" -- a faceless municipal drone. My academic field is the nineteenth century novel, where the consequences of spinsterhood weigh heavily on women; the male take on the problem is intriguing, and has me speculating about the world of the novel and how it got there. It's also the story of Meeks, a homeless man who lives in the city park, and feels an odd kinship with his namesake, the founder of his society. The outcome for both characters feels inevitable, particularly in the shadow of a third, less-frequent narrative voice which provides a prologue, but the story is nonetheless compelling. Both main characters keep the reader at an emotional distance, which fits the dystopic setting effectively. An impressive first novel for Holmes; I'll be eager to see where she goes next....more

What good science fiction excells at is the exploration of ideas and possibilities -- in the case of Cyteen (which is a dreadful title and fortunatelyWhat good science fiction excells at is the exploration of ideas and possibilities -- in the case of Cyteen (which is a dreadful title and fortunately has nothing to do with cybernetic teenagers), ideas about cloning, genetic manipulation, nature/nurture, identity and so forth. The novel handles these well, though in a world where they are so accepted that perhaps the larger questions don't get the exploration they might. But in 680 pages of political intrigue, scientific possibilities, and human tragedies, I never became engaged with the text. I think the problem comes down to "show, don't tell" -- the characters were constantly narrating their own situations and feelings, and far less often actually experiencing them. This kept me at a distance as a reader. To be fair, this was a book group book, and not something I'd have chosen myself; it wasn't a bad book, but it didn't speak to me....more

This book has so much buzz that I wondered if it could live up to its reputation -- in its low-key way, it does. A series of loosely-connected short sThis book has so much buzz that I wondered if it could live up to its reputation -- in its low-key way, it does. A series of loosely-connected short stories set in a coastal Maine town, the book's greatest strength isn't necessarily the everyday tragedies it explores, but Olive herself, strong-willed, opinionated, and difficult, who features centrally in some of the stories and weaves marginally in and out of the others. ...more

This season's much hyped literary horror novel is a fresh take on the vampire mythos, but viewed from the perspective of postapocalyptic and/or zombieThis season's much hyped literary horror novel is a fresh take on the vampire mythos, but viewed from the perspective of postapocalyptic and/or zombie books, seems actually fairly typical. It was a fun read, not very profound, and there were only a few characters in the vast array who I got attached to enough to really care about their fates. Clearly there is more to come. Towards the end of the book, we began to get some payoff for some of the buildup in the beginning and that may keep me reading even though this book was more okay than great. Very cinematic -- not surprised to find Ridley Scott's name in the acknowledgments....more

This novel, written primarily from the viewpoint of Alice Whittier, a (fictional) Northern reporter from a privileged background writing for a labor/cThis novel, written primarily from the viewpoint of Alice Whittier, a (fictional) Northern reporter from a privileged background writing for a labor/communist paper, and secondarily by Ruby Bates, one of the (actual) Scottsboro accusers, gives an interesting window into the "Scottsboro boys" case and the many, many trials that ensue. Whittier is sympathetic, caring, yet still quite distanced from the events, even when she's making them her personal crusade. Bates's limitations -- the small world she lives in, the limited choices she has -- are made clear, even while her shifting testimonies and the struggle between her conscience and her mercenary impulse make her a less-than-sympathetic character. ...more

In looking at earlier reviews on this site, I see that the author himself said calling this book a cross between Harry Potter and Donna Tartt's A SecrIn looking at earlier reviews on this site, I see that the author himself said calling this book a cross between Harry Potter and Donna Tartt's A Secret History was a fair call; obviously Narnia is thrown in there, too. I really enjoyed this book, which approached the fantastic with a more litfic sensibility -- characters are flawed and self-involved and mess up and get through things, but not always. I think some Rowling/Lewis fans will like it a great deal, and some won't like the flavor of disillusion that imbues the novel; things are certainly not comforting or black-and-white here.

Some things I especially liked: that the young magicians were all neurotic overachievers; the Hudson River Valley location of Brakebills (v. close to my childhood home and thus with its own magic for me); the fact that none of it is easy and that the characters' paths are often unclear; the ending with the many possibilities it opens up.

I'm not sure I would have picked this out of a lineup as not being run-of-the-mill urban fantasy, but it was recommended to me, and it's very very gooI'm not sure I would have picked this out of a lineup as not being run-of-the-mill urban fantasy, but it was recommended to me, and it's very very good, indeed. Gladstone's world building is top notch; the young magician Tara is recruited by a multinational firm, and the worlds of Craft and law are deeply entangled. The writing and plotting is very smart -- and with deft, amusing touches: for example, the priest of a god of fire is a chain smoker (it's a sacrament); a couple described in passing at a darkside night spot sounded an awful lot like Morticia and Gomez Addams....more

This extraordinary novel, centering on Lilith, born into slavery on a Jamaica plantation in the late 18th century, deals with the dehumanizing effectThis extraordinary novel, centering on Lilith, born into slavery on a Jamaica plantation in the late 18th century, deals with the dehumanizing effect of slavery on both the slaveholders and the enslaved. It's moral complex and emotionally challenging to read; the characters are damaged and very, very real. James writes in dialect effectively, by capturing the rhythm and word usage. Highest recommendation....more

A collection of short stories centering on the theme of immigration, by a Trinidadian-Canadian author, The Book of Ifs and Buts is in turn funny, sad,A collection of short stories centering on the theme of immigration, by a Trinidadian-Canadian author, The Book of Ifs and Buts is in turn funny, sad, and disconcerting. Because, with the exception of "The Journey of Angels," about an Armenian gardner who starts a new life in Brooklyn after his wife leaves him for his employer, the stories are all so short, it's hard to get a solid sense of many of the characters -- and Saren in "Angels" is such an emotionally distanced character, he feels almost surreal. The situations are all fairly familiar, but the writing is deft and I look forward to reading the author's novel, A Perfect Pledge and seeing what he does on a larger scale....more

A country boy meets a street-smart girl in late 18th century London. And William Blake is the next-door neighbor. Enjoyable, though more of Blake andA country boy meets a street-smart girl in late 18th century London. And William Blake is the next-door neighbor. Enjoyable, though more of Blake and his wife would have been very welcome.

I'm very interested in the entry of women into the professions in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly the legal profession, so when I read BibliI'm very interested in the entry of women into the professions in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly the legal profession, so when I read Bibliophile's review of The Crimson Rooms, I put it on my must-read list. Main character Evelyn Gifford is an articled clerk, making her way into the legal profession in the post-WWI world. Although she's the only one bringing any income into her now all-female family, rather than being appreciated, she faces disapproval for her defiance of traditional gender roles. Her tight-lipped, self-denying mother and aunt (there is a rather wonderful grandmother who was once an actress) try to manipulate her; and when a young Canadian ex-nurse turns up on the doorstep with her son, clearly the illegitimate son of the loved and lost-in-the-war son of the Gifford family, Evelyn has to make the first of a series of difficult decisions. There are two interweaving trial plots, as well as an unforeseen romance for Evelyn and the drama surrounding the introduction of Edmund and his mother into the Gifford household. While some of the oppositions Evelyn faces both in resistance to her presence in the courtroom and from her family members seem almost caricatured, my knowledge of the period suggests that they are not. Well worth the read, particularly if you're interested, as I am, in women in the legal profession....more

**spoiler alert** This well-researched novel about a Victorian divorce case is accurate in feel and details, which is especially notable because the t**spoiler alert** This well-researched novel about a Victorian divorce case is accurate in feel and details, which is especially notable because the two main characters, a feminist spinster and an adulteress, both violate the norms of their society, though in very different ways. Emily "Fido" Faithfull is one of the Langham Place group, a 19th century feminist collective, and the proprietor of the Victoria Press, a printing house set up to provide gainful employment for middle-class women. Helen Codrington, the close friend of her younger years, is the unhappy wife of a naval officer some 20 years her senior, recently returned to England after seven years' posting to Malta.

The novel deals with Victorian divorce (a subject I've done some research into) with great accuracy. Fido's sympathy for her old friend, based in part on her feminist ideals, in part on longing to regain the intensity of her youthful friendship with the dynamic and attractive Helen, and in part on something else, is threatened by Helen's dishonesty. The story plays out without any major surprises [at least I wasn't surprised:], and Donoghue is meticulous about the laws and procedures.

Helen, though undoubtedly troubled and certainly the victim of the gender inequities embedded in the Victorian legal system, is so manifestly deceitful that it's difficult to understand how the staunch but cautious Fido, defiant of gender norms but also extremely careful of not compromising her position as an independent woman and prominent feminist, could be so readily taken in. At least, well, until the end. Some reviewers said they didn't find any of the characters sympathetic; I thought Fido was confused and possibly compromised but very real. Helen is harder to get a grasp on: the reasons for her defiance of convention were believable, but she was so manipulative she sometimes seemed straight out of one of the sensation novels by Braddon or Collins that Fido secretly cherished....more

Probably not something I would have thought to pick up on my own, but Bibliophile's review intrigued me. Part historical novel, about Ann Eliza Young,Probably not something I would have thought to pick up on my own, but Bibliophile's review intrigued me. Part historical novel, about Ann Eliza Young, Brigham Young's apostate "nineteenth wife," and part a current-day mystery surrounding a breakaway polygamous sect and the gay cast-off son who returns to try to clear his mother's name, the novel was engaging and well-researched....more

A good solid YA science fiction story, with two appealing young thieves as main characters. There is a "golem" (really more of a cyborg) who is quiteA good solid YA science fiction story, with two appealing young thieves as main characters. There is a "golem" (really more of a cyborg) who is quite touching, and his plot plays on the notion of "what if Frankenstein's creature had met with kindness, even from one person?" But the central concept, that the city in which the story takes places is wracked with "Chaos storms" which alter reality on a random basis, is so promising and really insufficiently developed, that the novel suffers in the reader's expectations....more

This beautifully-written book centers on two couples: Gilbert and Hortense, who in the wake of World War II decide to leave Jamaica and settle in EnglThis beautifully-written book centers on two couples: Gilbert and Hortense, who in the wake of World War II decide to leave Jamaica and settle in England; Queenie, a white Englishwoman who rents Gilbert a room in her London home, and Bernard, her husband who returns late from the war. Levy's characters are very real, flawed but likable, and the depictions of British and American racism are strong indictments. But it's in her descriptions of everyday occurrences, of shabby grey post-war London, of moments of pain and of beauty, that the book really shines. The ending is a bit contrived, and rather sudden, but this is an extraordinary first novel....more

I'd not heard of this book when a friend loaned it to me, though it was a National Book Award Finalist about five years ago. It's a series of interconI'd not heard of this book when a friend loaned it to me, though it was a National Book Award Finalist about five years ago. It's a series of interconnected short stories, contemporary and historical, all centering around the longing for love and for spiritual fulfillment. The narrators are female and male, gay and straight, contemporary and historical; the stories are spare but revealing, often very moving, and much more so cumulatively. This is a book that didn't take me very long to read, but that I'll be thinking about for a long while....more

A steampunk mashup/retelling of Twelfth Night *and* The Importance of Being Earnest, this was a pure delight. Although there are a few moments when thA steampunk mashup/retelling of Twelfth Night *and* The Importance of Being Earnest, this was a pure delight. Although there are a few moments when the writing is awkward (one paragraph early on had the protagonist, Violet's, name eight times), for the most part, it captures the spirit of the time and place effectively.

Conceptually, Rosen returns to the sort of steampunk where technology matters, but with a fanciful spirit, so that his Illyria, a small but prestigious college for scientists, resembles nothing so much as a small-scale Hogwarts, not in an imitative way, but in the spirit of things.

The young woman who cares more about building and tinkering than dresses and courtship is a cliche of modern-day steampunk, but Violet, the Viola-analogue, is a delightful exception to that. By passing for her twin brother in order to enroll in the males-only school, Violet comes to embrace the femininity she'd hitherto taken for granted, as she has to mimic male behavior and appearance in her everyday life. But she never lets go of her overwhelming passion for science, or her ambition to open the field to all women.

The love story is integrated into the science story, so that both aspects of life are given equal importance. And bonus points for effective incorporation of Ada Lovelace into the story....more

I think this is a very good book. I enjoy the meditative pace, and the world that's portrayed is a fascinating one. I really like the Celal columns, aI think this is a very good book. I enjoy the meditative pace, and the world that's portrayed is a fascinating one. I really like the Celal columns, as well. But I'm abandoning it for now because I find myself unable to bear yet another outing of the trope where a man seeks an enignmatic, elusive woman -- in this case, Galip's wife Ruya, who has disappeared. The problem is that she's an enigma not only to her husband, who doesn't seem to know her very well, but also to the reader. ...more

An excellent, highly original fantasy that centers on painting, politics, and gender relations, instead of battles and quests. Set in a fantasy worldAn excellent, highly original fantasy that centers on painting, politics, and gender relations, instead of battles and quests. Set in a fantasy world reminiscent of Renaissance Italy, the story tracks generations within several families, one a clan of artists, and the other, the ruling family. I rarely read doorstopper fantasies anymore, but this one was well worth the reading....more

The problem with humor of another era is that it doesn't necessarily make sense in another cultural context. Parts of this book were very funny, indeeThe problem with humor of another era is that it doesn't necessarily make sense in another cultural context. Parts of this book were very funny, indeed, and parts were just a little tedious.

Recommended only for the very knowledgeable in Victorian literature and culture....more